Brian Worden grew up in Dows, joining the Morgan Merrymakers 4-H Club for nine years. His favorite project areas were Beef, Swine, and Woodworking, winning the State Woodworking Award in 1979.
Joni joined the Belmond Pleasant Peppy Pals 4-H Club when she was nine-years-old and actively participated all the way through her senior year of high school She entered static exhibits. . Her favorite project areas were Home Improvement, Food and Nutrition, Clothing, and Fashion Review! Joni had projects advance to the State Fair every year. Her fondest memories were being on the County Council, being a camp counselor, and the amazing friends she met.
Brian’s involvement in 4-H and FFA led him to a career in Agriculture. While obtaining his Animal Science degree at Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, he met an Interior Design student named Joni. After graduating in 1981, the couple married and lived in Dows for a short period. In 1988, they moved to a farm in Wright County where they both joined Joni’s family's printing company, Printing Services Inc. (PSI). The couple has raised five children. All kids were enrolled in 4-H, where Joni served as a 4-H Volunteer and was on the 4-H and Youth Committee in Wright County for 24 years!
One of the biggest impacts Joni had was being awarded the Main Street Grant to have the Santa House built in Belmond. She has also taken photos of every aspect of the fair for years!
During Brian’s 24 years on the Wright County Fair Board, he oversaw many improvements including expansion of the Cattle Barn, blacktop sidewalks, handicapped-accessible restrooms, Fair office, and continuous fencing. In 2013, the Board completed a successful $600,000 capital campaign to build a 100’ x 200’ Steel-framed structure becoming the new Show Arena, Swine Barn, Sheep Barn, gating and bleacher. Brian also served as Poultry Assistant, Horse Assistant, Beef Assistant and Swine Superintendent.
“Our feeling is if someone is on a board that means the whole family is on the board when help is needed,” said the Wordens. “We all helped before, during, and after – getting the fair ready or put away for the next year.”
If you’ve been to the Wright County Fair over the years, chances are you’ve probably even seen Joni take photos of almost every aspect of the fair. She loves being there and loves capturing it all on her camera.
The Worden’s have been actively involved in their community for almost 40 years, volunteering on the following boards: Belmond Township Trustee, BK FFA Advisory Committee, BK Wrestling and Football Booster Clubs, Gridiron, PSI Chairman of the Cheer Fund, helping to make childrens Christmases brighter , and as a UMC Sunday school, Bible School teacher.
The Worden’s have held state and national leadership positions on the Iowa Jr. Maine-Anjou Association where they were Iowa Jr Advisors for over 25 years, and American Jr. Maine-Anjou Association, named Maine Couple of the Year, and Brian was awarded Maine Man of the Year, Joni was awarded the American Junior Helper Award for their involvement in the beef industry. The Worden’s are still actively involved in the swine industry sponsoring the Iowa Swine Jackpot Series and Verified Iowa Purebred (VIP) program.
The Worden’s have made a positive impact in the lives of Wright County 4-H members and alumni during their years of voluntary service. Their skills, knowledge, willingness to help others and dedication to Making the Best Better, made them the Wright County P.I.G. Club’s Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame nominees.
